A CHANGING LANDSCAPE

Precision analysis for definitive answers

Longer, hotter summers in the Northeastern United States have allowed certain populations of disease-carrying ticks and insects to flourish and non-native tick and insect species to migrate north. Their arrival has introduced new vector-borne illnesses into these regions. Knowing which illnesses to test for is integral to proper diagnosis.

In the Northeastern U.S., ticks pose the biggest threat to their human neighbors. Increasing in prevalence each year, Lyme disease, which is transmitted by the black-legged tick (Ixodes scapularis) is the most common vector-borne illness in the region. Appearances of rarer illness, such as Powassan virus disease, anaplasmosis, Borrelia miyamotoi disease, and babesiosis (which are also carried by the black-legged tick), have similar initial symptom presentation and can pose a complicated picture for physicians attempting to ascertain which illness is infecting their patients. Lone star ticks (Amblyomma americanum), which are a vector for ehrlichiosis, tularemia, and alpha-gal syndrome, have also invaded the Northeast, and in some areas have become the predominant species.  

REGIONAL CHANGES:

MOSQUITOS

According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cases of mosquito-borne disease in the Northeast United States are increasing. Our map highlights cases of mosquito-borne illness reported in 2004, 2011, and 2018.

REGIONAL CHANGES:

TICKS

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that across the Northeast United States, cases of tick-borne illness have risen substantially. Cases of tick-borne disease reported in 2004, 2011, and 2018 are demonstrated.

The right test, the right patient

For individuals suspected of having vector-borne infectious disease, early diagnosis and treatment are critical to prevent further harm. Mayo Clinic Laboratories’ arsenal of vector-borne disease testing includes serological and molecular evaluations for common and rare illnesses most prevalent in the Northeastern U.S. Not only do we offer testing for individual disease states, such as a newly released Powassan virus test, but comprehensive panels that evaluate for a number of vector-borne conditions that present with similar symptoms.

TESTING AVAILABLE FOR

TICK-BORNE DISEASES

• Lyme disease
• Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF)
• Anaplasmosis
• Babesiosis
• Ehrlichiosis
• Alpha-gal syndrome
• Powassan virus disease
• Borrelia miyamotoi disease
• Tularemia

MOSQUITO-BORNE DISEASES

• West Nile virus (less frequent)
• California (La Crosse) encephalitis
• St. Louis encephalitis virus
• Dengue virus (imported)
• Eastern equine encephalitis
• Malaria (imported)

OTHER

• Chagas disease (imported)